The Department of Natural Resources Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is offering a winter skills workshop for women Feb. 24-26 at the DNR's MacMullan Conference Center at Higgins Lake.

"This workshop is a great way for women, 18 and older, to learn new outdoor activities, improve their existing skills and enjoy the company of other women who also appreciate the beauty of winter," said Lynn Marla, BOW program coordinator.

Classes are offered in more than a dozen activities, including ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dogsledding, snowmobile safety, winter survival and an opportunity to go winter rafting on the Sturgeon River. There also will be classes in archery, basket weaving, nest box building and cast iron cooking.

The MacMullan Conference Center is surrounded by mature pines and hardwoods, and the comfortable facilities offer a true "up north" feeling, and yet is very easily accessed from US-27.

The $200 registration fee covers lodging, meals and instruction, and the registration form is available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

"Our Upper Peninsula winter workshop scheduled for the same weekend already is full," Marla said, "so any woman interested in this great weekend in northern Michigan should register as soon as possible."

Many other outdoor programs for women are scheduled this year across Michigan. To learn more about this program or additional opportunities, contact Lynn Marla at (517) 241-2225 or e-mail marlal@michigan.gov.